artparis06

You may remember, dear reader, that back in January I talked about moves by the French government to promote contemporary artists on the international scene, and raved about the "Notre Histoire" exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo (if you don't - tsk - click here for a refresher :)) So ever since I stole received my invite to the preview of the artparis06 fair, I've been all of a fluster with expectations of fabulousness. What a let-down! Gone was the freshness and innovation that characterized the Palais de Tokyo exhibition, only to be replaced by the usual gallery fodder we're so familiar with. "But rhino75," I hear you cry, "The whole point is that it's an art fair, and, therefore, by definition a much more commercial enterprise!" So yes, I suppose it's inevitable that the work is a little more mainstream. And it was by no means all bad. We found ourselves transfixed by a DVD of a (hot) man's face that changes almost without you noticing into several other (hot) men's faces. And a Tracey Emin blanket. And some of the sculpture around the edge of the exhibition stand space was interesting. But overall we were disappointed. Plus, most of the people there seemed to be 103 years old. Funnily enough, Mrs. LOG and Miss FVE also went that night and came to the same conclusion. The final indignity was that you had to buy your own champagne - how sucky is that? I don't steal receive invites to glam functions and then expect to pay for my own drinks. Cheap, I call it (them rather than me, in case you weren't sure :-)).
Anyway, it may be psychosomatic, but ever since I've been laid up with the mother of all colds. Honestly, my throat hurts so much I'm trying not to swallow. That's what disappointing art does for you (p.s. am SO sensitive to these things).